CNRG intends to conduct a study that investigates and conceptualises the flow of funds within the artisanal gold mining (AGM) sector in Zimbabwe, using cases of two selected sites namely Mazowe and Penhalonga. The study will establish evidence of criminality (smuggling, corruption, machete wars that are part of violent extremism and organised crime, mercury use, sexual exploitation) within the AGM sector necessitated by (1) gold mining and trading policy loopholes, and (2) absence of AGM policy frameworkin Zimbabwe. Findings of the study will be used to advocate for AGM policy formulation; to promote responsible, ethical governance and extraction of gold in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe has been experiencing a sharp rise in artisanal gold mining since 2017. The deteriorating economy has forced hundreds of thousands of citizens to venture into AGM. Whilst artisanal mining remains illegal in Zimbabwe, the sector is ironically controlled by senior government officials and political elites. There are several gold discoveries being made in Zimbabwe which are quickly brought under the control of powerful ruling party officials. Since the activities are deemed illegal in Zimbabwe no one can account for the production statistics or trade of the gold produced at these sitesdotted across the country. It is estimated that between 30 and 34 tons of gold produced in Zimbabwe is smuggled to South Africa annually. Artisanal miners remain poor and living from hand to mouth, raising suspicion that they are not involved in the smuggling of gold. These miners produce gold in small quantities and sell to dealers and middlemen on-site. In 2018 gun totting and machete welding armed robbers emerged and have been terrorising artisanal and small scale miners and robbing them of gold. Political elites also exploit artisanal miners by paying them as little as $10 per ton of gold ore. Oxfam in Zimbabwe will project manage this project.